Tasmania

This image, captured by the MODIS on the Aqua satellite on December 8, 2006, shows the island of Tasmania, which is located south of the eastern side of Australia. Tasmania is one of Australia's states, and is separated from the continent by the Bass Straight.

The red dots on the image are the locations of active firest that MODIS detected. The fire on the south-eastern end of the island has a very visible smoke plum, though you can see smaller ones from some of the other fires. The capital city of Hobart is located just south of where you see the smoke plume. The bush fires in this location have been serious, destroying several homes, and causing a great deal of damage.

The two large islands you see off the north-eastern corner of the island are Flinders (top) and Cape Barren (bottom) islands. There have been numerous fires on them in recent months as well.